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Facing off against the most balanced teams in the state at the Minnesota State True Team meet May 21, the North Branch Vikings didn’t just compete, in some areas, they excelled. When it was all said and done, both the girls and boys teams finished seventh overall out of nine teams. Just to put things into perspective, last year, the North Branch boys finished ninth at the same event.

Speaking of the boys, the Vikings 4 X 800 relay team mounted a comeback late in their race to finish first overall. In addition, Al Moore won the high jump and Billy Oehlers took first in the shot put. Oehlers also placed third in the discus, one slot ahead of teammate Zack Backus. Moore finished fifth in the triple jump and 110 meter hurdles, and Nick Ramberg took sixth in the 3200 meter run.

“I was very pleased with the performances,” said Brian Hasleiet, North Branch head track and field coach. “The kids competed hard and really did a nice job. I was very happy with seventh place.”

The lady Vikings finished seventh as well. Jenny Anderson was the star for the North Branch girls, finishing first in the 100 meter hurdles, third in the 300 hurdles and third in the high jump. Sara Swanson added a fifth place finish in the 400 meter dash, Haley Hasleiet finished sixth in the 3200 and Miranda Charley and Claire Williams came in eighth in the 1600 meter run and the discus respectively.

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